By: Aubry Killion | wdsu.com | August 19, 2024
ST. CHARLES PARISH, La. —
Former St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office employees are calling on Sheriff Greg Champagne to resign following a WDSU Investigation.
After WDSU Investigates first story aired, revealing allegations that the agency was described as “intimidating, secretive, untrusted, unfair and a good ole boys club,” two more former employees decided to speak about their experiences with the sheriff.
“It’s an embarrassment,” the first former employee said. “I am disgusted.”
“The residents of St. Charles Parish deserve to know what happened within the sheriff’s office that they financially support,” the second former employee said.
Controversy has exploded after three former deputies were arrested and accused of abuse of office, payroll fraud and theft last month.
New court records obtained by WDSU Investigates allege former Chief Deputy Rodney Madere, Captain Derek Pertuis and former Sgt. Zain Stillinger forced employees to do personal work for them.
Court records allege one employee was forced to delete incriminating files.
The new court records state that in February of this year, the sheriff’s office began a criminal investigation.
Records allege they bought and possessed tools purchased with sheriff’s office funds.
The records also state that they used equipment from the sheriff’s office, which had to be repaired with sheriff’s office funds.
The total cost for taxpayers was well over $25,000, records show.
Records WDSU Investigates uncovered show that the alleged thefts date as far back as 2019.
“I would be questioning the sheriff to find out where have you been for the last four or five years that you didn’t know your chief deputy was robbing the sheriff’s office blind,” said the first former employee.
The new records also allege Madere, Pertuis and Stillinger coerced other employees to manufacture items for their own personal use and to perform mechanic work at the sheriff’s office while those employees were on duty.
Records allege fuel purchases and other evidence indicate there were numerous days that Madere, Pertuis and Stillinger were not in St. Charles Parish, even though their timecards showed that they were at work.
The record also alleges that Madere had a deputy under his command delete files from a work computer that were incriminating in nature.
“It was always who you knew, and if you weren’t in the clique of Rodney and his group of people, you literally had to fight to get what you wanted,” the second former employee said. “You were overlooked; your thoughts and opinions didn’t really matter.”
WDSU Investigates asked the former employee if the sheriff was transparent with employees about the investigation.
“Not in this case, no,” the second former employee said.
The sheriff’s office says Pertuis was terminated, and Stillinger and Madere were allowed to resign.
WDSU Investigates uncovered Madere’s pension is about $200,000 a year, adding up to nearly $17,000 a month.
“Absolutely astounding; I would have never thought a chief deputy would be able to make $17,000 a month,” the second former employee said.
According to the Metropolitan Crime Commission, a letter was apparently sent to Champagne last May. It claims the sheriff’s office construction equipment was used for maintenance at Madere’s camp in Mississippi. It also claims fake Louisiana State University football parking passes were made with sheriff’s office equipment.
“If you were in the good old boys’ club, you could take your sheriff’s office assigned vehicle, go out of state to LSU games, and go tailgating,” the second former employee said. “The sheriff’s office would pay for your fuel and everything. If you were anybody else, that wouldn’t happen.”
New court records show Madere has asked for permission to leave the state. The records state Madere owns a camp in Lumberton, Mississippi, which he routinely visits and maintains.
The Metropolitan Crime Commission says the camp is where some of the equipment at the center of the case may have been used.
The former employees question why an outside agency wasn’t immediately brought in to investigate to protect taxpayers.
“What’s pathetic is you are making that kind of money, and you still have to steal from the sheriff’s office, from the taxpayers who some of these people have a hard time going to the store and buying milk for their kids, that’s what you had to do,” the first former employee said. “My hope is that justice is served.”
Attorneys for Madere and Stillinger declined to comment.
Pertuis’ attorney did not respond when asked for comment.
When WDSU requested comment from Champagne, a spokesperson stated, “Who are these former employees? The sheriff may provide you with a statement later this evening.”
WDSU did not reveal our sources.
The following statement was issued to WDSU in response to our inquiry:
“We have repeatedly advised WDSU that we are unable to discuss any details of this investigation, particularly now that the cases are before the courts.”
“It is also fundamentally unfair to be called upon to respond to anonymous former disgruntled employees when there is no opportunity to assess their credibility, bias, or motivation.”